Camping sites near Burnsville, North Carolina provide access to some of the highest terrain in the eastern United States, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to over 6,600 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with temperature differences of up to 20 degrees between valley floors and mountain summits. Winter nights frequently drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer evenings rarely exceed 70°F even during July and August.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: 2.5-mile loop trail at Crabtree Falls Campground offers moderate terrain leading to impressive cascades. "I recommend you hike in a clockwise direction, starting from the B loop and ending in the A loop. This leaves the bulk of the strenuous climbing for the end, rather than descending sharply at the beginning," notes one visitor who appreciates the trail layout.
Creek-side relaxation: South Toe River at Carolina Hemlocks Rec Area provides multiple swimming and fishing spots. A camper reports, "My family and I have been camping at Bearden since 1995 and it has always been great," while another states, "This campground is small and comfortable. It is tucked in next to the South Toe River with an excellent swimming hole, rapids for tubing, great trout fishing."
Mountain summit exploration: 4,000-foot elevation gain when hiking from lower campgrounds to Mount Mitchell's peak. According to one hiker at Black Mountain Campground, "From here you can climb 4000ft to the summit of Mt Mitchell. It's a great, challenging hike with many rewards along the way."
What campers like
River access for recreation: Many campers value riverside sites for the constant sound of flowing water and recreational opportunities. At Toe River Campground, "Best campsite in the place for a small rv or tent is site 56! It's short and wide but lots of River front access and two trees to hang a hammock from! You can fish right off your camp site for trout!"
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on camper satisfaction. A visitor to Roan Mountain State Park noted, "The campground is very well maintained, and the bathroom was spotless. The staff, rangers and volunteers, were super friendly. If you forgot something, there is a little camp store on the property."
Star-gazing opportunities: Higher elevations offer exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. A Mount Mitchell camper shared, "Our first night on this trip, the sky was clear and we could see the milky way! We left home and the temperate was well into the high 90's, however the temperate on top of the mountain never came above 62!"
What you should know
Campground closures are widespread: Many camping areas near Burnsville have been affected by recent hurricane damage. A camper reported about Mount Mitchell State Park Campground: "If you are looking for camping around Mount Mitchell, check out Black Mountain Family Campground at the base of the mountain."
Weather variations by elevation: Pack for temperature swings of 10-20 degrees between day and night, regardless of season. "Check weather reports. These mountains make their own weather. And remember, for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, temperature decreases by 3 degrees," advises a camper.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal to no mobile reception. One visitor noted, "There is no cell service on T-Mobile or Verizon inside the camp (small victory for nature). BUT, let's say you have a Verizon phone, and you really really need to talk to someone - well, here's the hint of the day. Walk down the main access road toward the junction with your phone on."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Roan Mountain State Park shared: "They have a very nice playground area and the beach access by the river was also very nice. Very well maintained campground."
Kid-friendly water areas: Look for designated swimming holes with gradual entry points. "The camp has a swimming hole on the South Toe River in the campground just beyond the end of the riverside sites. It has a small sandy 'beach' area and a neck deep refreshing hole," reports one camper.
Nearby town attractions: Burnsville offers family activities within a short drive. A visitor mentioned, "We went to downtown Burnsville and were pleasantly surprised. It had restaurants, a cute downtown, and neat playground called kid mountain."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. At Spacious Skies Bear Den, a visitor advises, "Hint here if pulling a camper, don't follow the Bearden sign, go to Linville to get on the parkway and go left. This way you will avoid the steep curvy road going up a mountain."
Road access challenges: Mountain roads can be steep, narrow, and winding. "The road to get to the campground made me nervous, but once there, I could have stayed for weeks!" notes a camper about Curtis Creek Campground. Another adds, "The road is a little rough to get there, but even a car should have no problems - just might need to dodge a few potholes."
Advance planning for hookups: Most campgrounds offer limited or no hookups. "The sites come with a nice fire pit and picnic table, there is water available and the pit toilets were immaculate on that visit. There is good access to Curtis Creek for fishing or hanging out, and the little bit of traffic on the adjacent road was not obtrusive," shares an RV camper.
